Session 2006-2007

Commons Journal 263

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Alphabetical Index - Part I
Alphabetical Index - Part II


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Page 364            2006-2007      Volume 263      

[No. 94.]

Monday 21st May 2007.

The House met at half-past Two o’clock.

PRAYERS.

1Transport for London Bill [Lords],—The Transport for London Bill [Lords] was read a second time and committed.

2First Delegated Legislation Committee,—Mr Christopher Chope reported from the First Delegated Legislation Committee the draft Human Fertilisation and Embryology (Quality and Safety) Regulations 2007 and the draft Human Tissue (Quality and Safety for Human Application) Regulations 2007.

Minutes of Proceedings of the Committee to lie upon the Table.

3Message from the Lords,—A Message was brought from the Lords, as follows:

The Lords agree without Amendment to the Amendment proposed by this House in lieu of one of their Amendments to the Justice and Security (Northern Ireland) Bill.

4Further Education and Training Bill [Lords],—The Order of the day being read, for the Second Reading of the Further Education and Training Bill [Lords];

And a Motion being made, and the Question being proposed, That the Bill be now read a second time;

An Amendment was proposed to the Question to leave out from the word ‘That’ to the end of the Question and add the words ‘this House declines to give a Second Reading to the Further Education and Training Bill [Lords] because it will introduce yet another expensive reorganisation of the learning and skills councils, further entrenching the management of vocational training through a regional structure; it will grant the Learning and Skills Council draconian new powers to dismiss college governors, principals and senior managers; and despite the recommendations of the Leitch Review of Skills it fails to address the UK’s relatively poor performance in intermediate level vocational skills, the growing problem of young people not in education, employment or training, the declining numbers of learners in apprenticeships at all levels, and profound doubts about the timetable for the introduction of the new 14–19 specialised Diplomas’, instead thereof.—(Mr David Willetts.)

And the Question being put, That the Amendment be made;

The House divided.

Tellers for the Ayes, Angela Watkinson, Michael Fabricant: 137.

Tellers for the Noes, Huw Irranca-Davies, Jonathan Shaw: 296.

So the Question was negatived.

And the Main Question being put forthwith, pursuant to Standing Order No. 62 (Amendment on second or third reading):—It was agreed to.

5Further Education and Training Bill [Lords] (Programme),—A Motion was made, and the Question being put forthwith, pursuant to Standing Order No. 83A (Programme motions), That the following provisions shall apply to the Further Education and Training Bill [Lords]:

Committal

1. The Bill shall be committed to a Public Bill Committee.

Proceedings in Public Bill Committee

2. Proceedings in the Public Bill Committee shall (so far as not previously concluded) be brought to a conclusion on Thursday 21st June 2007.

3. The Public Bill Committee shall have leave to sit twice on the first day on which it meets.

Consideration and Third Reading

4. Proceedings on consideration shall (so far as not previously concluded) be brought to a conclusion one hour before the moment of interruption on the day on which those proceedings are commenced.

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5. Proceedings on Third Reading shall (so far as not previously concluded) be brought to a conclusion at the moment of interruption on that day.

6. Standing Order No. 83B (Programming committees) shall not apply to proceedings on consideration and Third Reading.

Other proceedings

7. Any other proceedings on the Bill (including any proceedings on consideration of any message from the Lords) may be programmed—(Mr Alan Campbell):—It was agreed to.

6Further Education and Training Bill [Lords] [Money],—Her Majesty’s Recommendation having been signified to the proposed Motion relating to Further Education and Training Bill [Lords] [Money];

A Motion was made, and the Question being put forthwith, pursuant to Standing Order No. 52 (Money resolutions and ways and means resolutions in connection with bills), That, for the purposes of any Act resulting from the Further Education and Training Bill [Lords], it is expedient to authorise the payment out of money provided by Parliament of any increase attributable to the Act in the sums payable under any other Act out of money so provided—(Mr Alan Campbell):—It was agreed to.

7Public Petition,—A Public Petition from users of Post Offices in West Berkshire against post office closures in West Berkshire was presented and read; and ordered to lie upon the Table and to be printed.

8Adjournment,—Resolved, That this House do now adjourn.—(Mr Alan Campbell.)

And accordingly, the House, having continued to sit till twenty minutes to Eleven o’clock, adjourned till to-morrow.

[Adjourned at 10.40 p.m.


APPENDIX I

Papers presented or laid upon the Table:

Paper subject to Affirmative Resolution:

1Criminal Law,—Draft Criminal Justice and Court Services Act 2000 (Amendment) Order 2007 [by Act], with an Explanatory Memorandum [by Command] [Secretary John Reid].

Paper subject to Negative Resolution:

2Government Resources and Accounts,—Whole of Government Accounts (Designation of Bodies) Order 2007 (S.I., 2007, No. 1492), dated 21st May 2007 [by Act], with an Explanatory Memorandum [by Command] [Mr Stephen Timms].

Other Papers:

3Communities and Local Government,—Paper, entitled Planning for a Sustainable Future [by Command] [Cm. 7120] [Secretary Ruth Kelly].

4National Audit,—Report by the Comptroller and Auditor General on The Thames Gateway: Laying the Foundations [by Act]; to be printed [No. 526] [Clerk of the House].

5Treaty Series (No. 9, 2007),—Agreement, done at Belgrade on 6th November 2002, between the Government of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland and the Government of the Federal Republic of Yugoslavia for the Reciprocal Promotion and Protection of Investments, with Exchange of Notes [by Command] [Cm. 7129] [Secretary Margaret Beckett].

APPENDIX II

General Committees

Draft Human Fertilisation and Embryology (Quality and Safety) Regulations 2007 and the draft Human Tissue (Quality and Safety for Human Application) Regulations 2007,—The Committee of Selection has discharged Natascha Engel from the First Delegated Legislation Committee (nominated in respect of the draft Regulations) and nominated in substitution Mary Creagh.

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APPENDIX III

Reports from Select Committees

1Communities and Local Government,—Refuse Collection: Minutes of Evidence taken before the Communities and Local Government Committee; to be printed [No. 536-i] [Dr Phyllis Starkey].

2Education and Skills,—Post–16 Skills Training:

(1) Minutes of Evidence taken before the Education and Skills Committee; to be printed [No. 333-vi]; and

(2) Memoranda laid before the Committee; to be published

[Mr Barry Sheerman].

3Environment, Food and Rural Affairs,—Draft Climate Change Bill: Minutes of Evidence taken before the Draft Climate Change Bill Sub-Committee of the Environment, Food and Rural Affairs Committee; to be printed [No. 534-iii] [Mr Michael Jack].

4Human Rights,—(1) Legislative Scrutiny: Seventh Progress Report: Fifteenth Report from the Joint Committee on Human Rights, with Appendices; to be printed, with the Minutes of Proceedings of the Committee relating to the Report [No. 555]; and

(2) Human Rights Policy: Minutes of Evidence taken before the Committee; to be printed [No. 556-i]

[Mr Andrew Dismore].

5Work and Pensions,—Benefits Simplification: Minutes of Evidence taken before the Work and Pensions Committee; to be printed [No. 463-iii] [Mr Terry Rooney].


[No. 95.]

Tuesday 22nd May 2007.

The House met at half-past Two o’clock.

PRAYERS.

1National Trust (Northern Ireland) Bill,—The House proceeded to consider the National Trust (Northern Ireland) Bill as amended in the Committee.

Bill to be read the third time.

2Second Delegated Legislation Committee,—Mrs Joan Humble reported from the Second Delegated Legislation Committee the Cattle Identification Regulations 2007 (S.I., 2007, No. 529).

Minutes of Proceedings of the Committee to lie upon the Table.

3Message from the Lords,—A Message was brought from the Lords, as follows:

International Tribunals (Sierra Leone) Bill [Lords],—The Lords have passed a Bill to confer power to make provision in relation to the Special Court for Sierra Leone corresponding to that made in relation to the International Criminal Court by sections 42 to 48 of the International Criminal Court Act 2001; to which the Lords desire the concurrence of this House.

The Lords have agreed to the Digital Switchover (Disclosure of Information) Bill, with an Amendment, to which they desire the concurrence of this House.

The Lords insist on their Amendments to the Corporate Manslaughter and Corporate Homicide Bill to which this House has disagreed and they disagree to the Amendment proposed by this House in lieu, for which they assign their Reason.

4International Tribunals (Sierra Leone) Bill [Lords],—The International Tribunals (Sierra Leone) Bill [Lords] was read the first time; and ordered to be read a second time to-morrow and to be printed [Bill 110].

Ordered, That the Explanatory Notes relating to the International Tribunals (Sierra Leone) Bill [Lords] be printed [Bill 110–EN].

5Digital Switchover (Disclosure of Information) Bill,—Lords Amendment to the Digital Switchover (Disclosure of Information) Bill to be considered to-morrow; and to be printed [Bill 112].

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Ordered, That the Explanatory Notes relating to the Lords Amendment to the Digital Switchover Bill be printed [Bill 112–EN].

6Corporate Manslaughter and Corporate Homicide Bill,—Lords Reason for insisting on their Amendments and for disagreeing to the Amendment in lieu proposed by this House to the Corporate Manslaughter and Corporate Homicide Bill to be printed [Bill 113].

7Houses in Multiple Occupation,—Ordered, That leave be given to bring in a Bill to require planning approval for the change of use of housing to multiple occupation; and for connected purposes: And that Dr Alan Whitehead, Mr John Denham, Mr Andy Reed, Dr Roberta Blackman-Woods, Alan Simpson, Dr Phyllis Starkey, Martin Salter, Sandra Gidley and Fiona Mactaggart do prepare and bring it in.

8Houses in Multiple Occupation Bill,—Dr Alan Whitehead accordingly presented a Bill to require planning approval for the change of use of housing to multiple occupation; and for connected purposes: And the same was read the first time; and ordered to be read a second time on Friday 19th October and to be printed [Bill 109].

9Local Government and Public Involvement in Health Bill [2nd allocated day],—The House, according to Order, proceeded further to consider the Local Government and Public Involvement in Health Bill, as amended in the Public Bill Committee.

Another Clause (NC1) (Orders under Part 1 of Local Government Act 2000: Wales)—(Angela E. Smith)—brought up, read the first and second time, and added to the Bill.

Another Clause (NC4) (Requests for single-member electoral areas)—(Angela E. Smith)—brought up, read the first and second time, and added to the Bill.

Other Clauses (NC5) (Duty of local authority to provide Boundary Committee with information), (NC6) (Consequential amendments), (NC22) (Entities controlled etc. by local authorities), (NC23) (Trusts), (NC24) (Further provision about orders), (NC25) (Exemptions from orders), (NC26) (Definition of certain terms for purposes of other enactments: England), (NC27) (Definition of certain terms for purposes of other enactments: Wales), (NC28) (Consequential amendments), (NC36) (Schemes for elections), (NC37) (Resolution for whole-council elections), (NC38) (Resolution for whole-council elections: requirements), (NC39) (Resolution for elections by halves), (NC40) (Resolution for elections by halves: requirements), (NC41) (Resolution for elections by thirds), (NC42) (Resolution for elections by thirds: requirements), (NC43) (Publicity for resolution), (NC44) (Notice to Electoral Commission), (NC45) (Electoral Commission to consider whether electoral review is necessary), (NC46) (Electoral Commission to make order for new electoral scheme), (NC47) (Order for elections by halves: years in which elections are to be held), (NC48) (Order for elections by halves: councillors to be elected at ordinary elections), (NC49) (Order for elections by thirds: years in which elections are to be held), (NC50) (Order for elections by thirds: councillors to be elected at ordinary elections), (NC51) (Order for elections by halves or elections by thirds: transitional provision), (NC52) (Power of Electoral Commission to make incidental etc. provision), (NC53) (Position if Electoral Commission acts under existing powers), (NC54) (Publicity for order by Electoral Commission) and (NC55) (Power of council to alter years of ordinary elections of parish councillors)—(Mr Phil Woolas)—brought up, read the first and second time, and added to the Bill.

Another Clause (NC56) (Terms of reference of review)—(Angela E. Smith)— brought up, read the first and second time, and added to the Bill.

Other Clauses (NC57) (Council’s power to undertake review), (NC58) (No review being undertaken: duty to respond to petition), (NC59) (Review being undertaken: duty to respond to petition), (NC60) (Power to respond to petition) and (NC62) (Electoral Commission and Boundary Committee: reviews and recommendations)—(Mr Dave Watts)—brought up, read the first and second time, and added to the Bill.

Another Clause (NC34) (Executive arrangements: move to alternative arrangements)—(Alistair Burt)—brought up, and read the first time.

Question put, That the Clause be read a second time.

The House divided.

Tellers for the Ayes, Mr David Evennett, Mr Mark Lancaster: 129.

Tellers for the Noes, Liz Blackman, Tony Cunningham: 305.

Another Clause (NC64) (Abolition of Standards Board for England, repeal of provisions relating to investigations etc. (Wales) and abolition of Adjudication Panels etc.)—(Philip Davies)—brought up, and read the first time.

Question proposed, That the Clause be read a second time.

And it being Nine o’clock, the Deputy Speaker put the Question, pursuant to Order [17th May].

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The House divided.

Tellers for the Ayes, Mr David Evennett, Mr Mark Lancaster: 175.

Tellers for the Noes, Tony Cunningham, Liz Blackman: 257.

The Deputy Speaker then put the Questions on the remaining Amendments and the new Schedules moved by a Minister of the Crown.

Other Amendments (Nos. 196 to 209, 258, 211, 212, 89, 12, 213 to 217, 13 to 18, 218, 90, 228 to 233, 91, 234 to 242, 19, 243 to 247, 61 to 73, 111 to 113, 219, 114, 115, 220, 221, 116, 55, 117 to 121, 222 to 224, 56, 122 and 225) made to the Bill.

Schedules (NS1) (Elections: consequential amendments), (NS2) (The Commission for Local Administration in England: minor and consequential amendments) and (NS3) (Consequential amendments relating to entities controlled etc. by local authorities)—(Mr Michael Foster)—brought up, read the first time and added to the Bill.

Other Amendments (Nos. 57, 226, 74, 227, 58, 124, 59, 60, 125 to 130) made to the Bill.

A Motion was made, and the Question being put, That the Bill be now read the third time;

The House divided.

Tellers for the Ayes, Steve McCabe, Jonathan Shaw: 260.

Tellers for the Noes, Mr Mark Lancaster, Mr David Evennett: 180.

So the Question was agreed to.

The Bill was accordingly read the third time, and passed.

10Human Fertilisation and Embryology,—A Motion was made, and the Question being put forthwith, pursuant to Standing Order No. 118 (Delegated Legislation Committees), That the draft Human Fertilisation and Embryology (Quality and Safety) Regulations 2007, which were laid before this House on 25th April 2007, be approved—(Mr Alan Campbell):—It was agreed to.

11Human Tissue,—A Motion was made, and the Question being put forthwith, pursuant to Standing Order No. 118 (Delegated Legislation Committees), That the draft Human Tissue (Quality and Safety for Human Application) Regulations 2007, which were laid before this House on 25th April 2007, be approved—(Mr Alan Campbell):—It was agreed to.

12Public Petition,—A Public Petition from residents of North West Leicestershire and surrounding areas for a local hospice was presented and read; and ordered to lie upon the Table and to be printed.

13Adjournment,—Resolved, That this House do now adjourn.—(Mr Alan Campbell.)

And accordingly, the House, having continued to sit till twenty-seven minutes to Eleven o’clock, adjourned till to-morrow.

[Adjourned at 10.33 p.m.


APPENDIX I

Papers presented or laid upon the Table:

Paper subject to Affirmative Resolution:

1Immigration,—Draft Asylum (Designated States) Order 2007 [by Act], with an Explanatory Memorandum [by Command] [Secretary John Reid].

Other Papers:

2British Nationality,—Citizenship Oath and Pledge (Welsh Language) Order 2007 (S.I., 2007, No. 1484), dated 17th May 2007 [by Act], with an Explanatory Memorandum [by Command] [Secretary John Reid].

3European Community Finances,—Statement on the 2007 EC Budget and measures to counter fraud and financial mismanagement [by Command] [Cm. 7090] [Ed Balls].

4Health,—Government Response to the Fourth Report from the Health Committee, Session 2006–07, on Workforce Planning [by Command] [Cm. 7085] [Ms Secretary Hewitt].

5Magistrates’ Courts,—Explanatory Memorandum to the Assistants to Justices’ Clerks (Amendment) Regulations 2007 (S.I., 2007, No. 1448) [by Command] [Ms Harriet Harman].

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6Naval and Marine Pay and Pensions,—(1) Naval and Marine Pay and Pensions (Pay and Allowances) (No. 2) Order 2007; and

(2) Naval and Marine Pay and Pensions (Pay) Order 2007,

dated 2nd May 2007 [by Act] [Ms Harriet Harman].

7Public Accounts,—Treasury Minutes on the Thirteenth to Nineteenth Reports from the Committee of Public Accounts, Session 2006–07 [by Command] [Cm. 7077] [John Healey].

8Public Petitions,—Observations by the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government on the Petition [1st May] from members of the 5 Parishes Opposition Group and others against the expansion of the Kent Science Park [by Standing Order]; to be printed [Clerk of the House].

9Transport,—Strengthening Local Delivery: The Draft Local Transport Bill, with Explanatory Notes and Regulatory Impact Assessments [by Command] [Cm. 7043-I, -II, -III and -IV] [Mr Secretary Alexander].

10Video Recordings,—Report and Accounts of the British Board of Film Classification for 2006 [by Act] [Secretary Tessa Jowell].

Papers withdrawn:

11Magistrates’ Courts,—Explanatory Memorandum to the Assistants to Justices’ Clerks (Amendment) Regulations 2007 (S.I., 2007, No. 1448) [laid 17th May].

APPENDIX II

General Committees

Cattle Identification Regulations 2007 (S.I., 2007, No. 529),—The Committee of Selection has discharged Ms Celia Barlow, Andrew Mackinlay and Mr Marsha Singh from the Second Delegated Legislation Committee (nominated in respect of the Regulations) and nominated in substitution Rosie Cooper, Jeff Ennis and Mr Neil Turner.

APPENDIX III

Reports from Select Committees

1Administration,—Record of the Committee’s discussions at its meeting on 22nd May; to be published [Mr Frank Doran].

2Communities and Local Government,—Refuse Collection: Minutes of Evidence taken before the Communities and Local Government Committee; to be printed [No. 536-ii] [Dr Phyllis Starkey].

3Constitutional Affairs,—The new Ministry of Justice: Minutes of Evidence taken before the Constitutional Affairs Committee; to be printed [No. 466-ii] [Mr Alan Beith].

4Defence,—(1) The Future of the UK’s Strategic Nuclear Deterrent: the White Paper: Government Response to the Ninth Report of the Committee, Session 2006–07: Eleventh Special Report from the Defence Committee; to be printed [No. 551];

(2) Cost of military operations: Spring Supplementary Estimate 2006–07: Government Response to the Tenth Report of the Committee, Session 2006–07: Twelfth Special Report from the Committee; to be printed [No. 558];

(3) Strategic Lift: Minutes of Evidence taken before the Committee; to be printed [No. 462-ii];

(4) Medical Care for the Armed Forces: Memoranda laid before the Committee; to be published;

(5) UK Defence: commitments and resources: Memorandum laid before the Committee; to be published; and

(6) UK operations in Afghanistan: Memorandum laid before the Committee; to be published

[Mr James Arbuthnot].

5Draft Climate Change Bill,—Memoranda laid before the Joint Committee on the Draft Climate Change Bill; to be published [Dr Alan Whitehead].

6Home Affairs,—(1) Young Black People and the Criminal Justice System: Second Report from the Home Affairs Committee; to be printed, with the Minutes of Proceedings of the Committee relating to the Report [No. 181]; and

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(2) Police Funding Allocations: Minutes of Evidence taken before the Committee; to be printed [No. 553-i]

[Mr John Denham].

7Public Administration,—(1) Public services: putting people first:

(i) Minutes of Evidence taken before the Select Committee on Public Administration; to be printed [No. 251-viii]; and

(ii) Memorandum laid before the Committee; to be published; and

(2) Third Sector Commissioning: Memorandum laid before the Committee; to be published

[Dr Tony Wright].

8Trade and Industry,—(1) Marketing UK plc—UKTI’s 5 year strategy: Sixth Report from the Trade and Industry Committee; to be printed, with the Minutes of Proceedings of the Committee relating to the Report [No. 557]; and

(2) Trade with Brazil and Mercosur: Seventh Report from the Committee; to be printed, with the Minutes of Proceedings of the Committee relating to the Report [No. 208]

[Mr Peter Luff].

9Welsh Affairs,—Globalisation and its impact on Wales:

(1) Minutes of Evidence taken before the Welsh Affairs Committee; to be printed [No. 281-x]; and

(2) Memoranda laid before the Committee; to be published

[Dr Hywel Francis].


[No. 95; WH, No. 56]

Tuesday 22nd May 2007.

The House sitting in Westminster Hall

The sitting began at half-past Nine o’clock.

Adjournment,—Resolved, That the sitting be now adjourned.—(Margaret Hodge.)

And accordingly the sitting was adjourned till to-morrow.

[Adjourned at 1.53 p.m.


[No. 96.]

Wednesday 23rd May 2007.

The House met at half-past Eleven o’clock.

PRAYERS.

1Sustainable Communities Bill,—John Cummings reported from the Sustainable Communities Bill Committee, That it had gone through the Bill, and made Amendments thereunto.

Bill, as amended in the Public Bill Committee, to be considered on Friday 15th June; and to be printed [Bill 115].

Minutes of Proceedings of the Committee to lie upon the Table.

2Constitutional Reform Bill,—Mr Graham Allen presented a Bill to provide for the drawing up of a written constitution for the United Kingdom; for its consideration by the people and Parliament of the United Kingdom; and for connected purposes: And the same was read the first time; and ordered to be read a second time on Friday 19th October and to be printed [Bill 114].

3Media (Transparency and Disclosure),—Ordered, That leave be given to bring in a Bill to require media organisations to disclose certain information about any payments made by them to individuals for the contribution of those individuals to articles or broadcasts in which they are involved; and for connected purposes: And that Mr Gary Streeter, Angela Browning, Sir George Young, Dr Tony Wright, Mr Frank Field, Mr Tom Clarke, Mr Colin Breed, Mr David Curry, Mrs Janet Dean, Mr David Burrowes, Mr Greg Pope and Ms Karen Buck do prepare and bring it in.

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4Media (Transparency and Disclosure) Bill,—Mr Gary Streeter accordingly presented a Bill to require media organisations to disclose certain information about any payments made by them to individuals for the contribution of those individuals to articles or broadcasts in which they are involved; and for connected purposes: And the same was read the first time; and ordered to be read a second time on Friday 19th October and to be printed [Bill 111].

5Opposition Day [12th allotted day],—It being an allotted day at the disposal of the Leader of the Opposition in pursuance of Standing Order No. 14 (Arrangement of public business), the House proceeded to consider Opposition business.

Independent Inquiry into the Conduct of the Scottish Elections,—A Motion was made, and the Question being proposed, That this House considers the rejection of 146,097 votes in the constituency and regional elections to the Scottish Parliament, the equivalent of over 1,000,000 in a UK general election, to be totally unacceptable and an affront to democracy; notes that the number of rejected ballots exceeds the winning majority in several constituencies and that different formats of the regional ballot paper were used in different parts of Scotland; further notes that serious concerns have been raised about the issuing of postal ballots for the elections and the electronic equipment and processes used for counting votes; further notes that repeated advice not to hold the local government elections under the newly introduced single transferable vote system on the same day as the Scottish Parliament elections was ignored by the Scotland Office and the then Scottish Executive; calls upon the Secretary of State for Scotland to accept responsibility for the failures in the conduct of the Scottish Parliament elections and to apologise to the people of Scotland; further notes that the Electoral Commission is to carry out an inquiry, but considers that such an inquiry should be independent of the Commission, which had a significant role in the conduct of the elections, if public confidence in the electoral process in Scotland is to be restored; and accordingly further calls upon the Government, working in conjunction with the Scottish Executive, to instigate such an inquiry—(David Mundell);

An Amendment was proposed to the Question, in line 2, to leave out from the word ‘House’ to the end of the Question and add the words ‘notes that a statutory review of the Scottish Parliament elections is already underway conducted by the Electoral Commission as required by Parliament; further notes that, at the prior request of the then Scottish Executive, this review will also cover the Scottish local government elections; welcomes the appointment of an international authority on the management and organisation of elections, Mr Ron Gould, the former Assistant Chief Electoral Officer of Canada, to lead the review; further notes that his terms of reference include examining the role of the Electoral Commission in the preparation of the elections, as well as matters relating to postal ballot delays, the high number of rejected ballots, combining Scottish local government and Scottish parliamentary elections, and the electronic counting process; and believes that this statutory review which is now in progress should complete its report in order to inform decisions in relation to any further steps which may be necessary or appropriate’, instead thereof.—(Mr Secretary Alexander.)

And the Question being put, That the original words stand part of the Question;

The House divided.

Tellers for the Ayes, Andrew Rosindell, Mr Robert Goodwill: 160.

Tellers for the Noes, Mr Alan Campbell, Mr Ian Cawsey: 329.

So the Question was negatived.

And the Question, That the proposed words be there added, being put forthwith, pursuant to Standing Order No. 31 (Questions on amendments):—It was agreed to.

The Deputy Speaker forthwith declared the Main Question, as amended, to be agreed to.

Resolved, That this House notes that a statutory review of the Scottish Parliament elections is already underway conducted by the Electoral Commission as required by Parliament; further notes that, at the prior request of the then Scottish Executive, this review will also cover the Scottish local government elections; welcomes the appointment of an international authority on the management and organisation of elections, Mr Ron Gould, the former Assistant Chief Electoral Officer of Canada, to lead the review; further notes that his terms of reference include examining the role of the Electoral Commission in the preparation of the elections, as well as matters relating to postal ballot delays, the high number of rejected ballots, combining Scottish local government and Scottish parliamentary elections, and the electronic counting process; and believes that this statutory review which is now in progress should complete its report in order to inform decisions in relation to any further steps which may be necessary or appropriate.

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Salary of the Secretary of State for Health,—A Motion was made, and the Question being proposed, That the salary of the Secretary of State for Health should be reduced by £1,000—(Mr Andrew Lansley);

An Amendment was proposed to the Question, in line 2, to leave out from the word ‘That’ to the end of the Question and add the words ‘this House believes that there is no need to reduce the salary of the Secretary of State for Health at a time when patient satisfaction is increasing, with nine out of ten in-patients saying their care has been good, very good or excellent, waiting times are at their lowest since records began, an extra 200,000 lives have been saved from heart disease and cancer since 1996 and investment in the NHS is being trebled by 2008’, instead thereof.—(Ms Secretary Hewitt.)

And the Question being put, That the original words stand part of the Question;

The House divided.

Tellers for the Ayes, Mr Robert Goodwill, Mr Crispin Blunt: 219.

Tellers for the Noes, Mr Michael Foster, Tony Cunningham: 282.

So the Question was negatived.

And the Question, That the proposed words be there added, being put forthwith, pursuant to Standing Order No. 31 (Questions on amendments);

The House divided.

Tellers for the Ayes, Tony Cunningham, Mr Michael Foster: 269.

Tellers for the Noes, Mr Robert Goodwill, Mr Crispin Blunt: 207.

So the Question was agreed to.

The Deputy Speaker forthwith declared the Main Question, as amended, to be agreed to.

Resolved, That this House believes that there is no need to reduce the salary of the Secretary of State for Health at a time when patient satisfaction is increasing, with nine out of ten in-patients saying their care has been good, very good or excellent, waiting times are at their lowest since records began, an extra 200,000 lives have been saved from heart disease and cancer since 1996 and investment in the NHS is being trebled by 2008.

6Public Petitions,—Public Petitions from—

(1) International Fund for Animal Welfare for legislation to ban the trade in all harp and hooded seal products in the UK; and

(2) residents of Orchard Park Housing Estate, Kingston upon Hull for the redevelopment of the Orchard Park Shopping Centre

were presented and read; and ordered to lie upon the Table and to be printed.

7Adjournment,—Resolved, That this House do now adjourn.—(Mr Alan Campbell.)

And accordingly, the House, having continued to sit till thirteen minutes to Eight o’clock, adjourned till to-morrow.

[Adjourned at 7.47 p.m.


APPENDIX I

Papers presented or laid upon the Table:

Papers subject to Affirmative Resolution:

1Local Government,—Draft Local Authorities (Conduct of Referendums) (England) Regulations 2007 [by Act], with an Explanatory Memorandum [by Command] [Bridget Prentice].

2Regulatory Reform,—Draft Regulatory Reform (Game) Order 2007, with a Statement by the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs [by Act] [Secretary David Miliband].

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Papers subject to Negative Resolution:

3Customs,—(1) Control of Cash (Penalties) Regulations 2007 (S.I., 2007, No. 1509), dated 22nd May 2007 [by Act], with an Explanatory Memorandum [by Command] [Mr Stephen Timms]; and

(2) Goods Infringing the Olympics and Paralympics Association Rights (Customs) Regulations 2007 (S.I., 2007, No. 1508), dated 22nd May 2007 [by Act], with an Explanatory Memorandum [by Command] [Dawn Primarolo].

4Highways,—Highways (SSSI Diversion Orders) (England) Regulations 2007 (S.I., 2007, No. 1494), dated 21st May 2007 [by Act], with an Explanatory Memorandum [by Command] [Secretary David Miliband].

Other Papers:

5Local Government,—Report by the Secretary of State for Justice on the draft Local Authorities (Conduct of Referendums) (England) Regulations 2007—Intelligibility of Referendum Questions [by Act]; to be printed [No. 457] [Ms Harriet Harman].

6National Heritage,—Statement on the provision of the Government Indemnity Scheme [by Act] [Secretary Tessa Jowell].

7Public Petitions,—Observations by the Secretary of State for Health on the Petition [1st May] from Respect the Unity Coalition against the privatisation of healthcare and for increased resources for the NHS [by Standing Order]; to be printed [Clerk of the House].

8Trade and Industry,—Paper, entitled Meeting the Energy Challenge: A White Paper on Energy [by Command] [Cm. 7124] [Mr Secretary Darling].

APPENDIX II

General Committees

1Further Education and Training Bill [Lords],—The Speaker has appointed Mr Peter Atkinson Chairman of the Further Education and Training Bill [Lords] Committee.

2Parliament (Joint Departments) Bill [Lords]:

(1) The Speaker has appointed Mr Mike Weir Chairman of the Second Reading Committee on the Bill; and

(2) the Committee of Selection has nominated seventeen Members to serve on the Committee: Mr Bob Ainsworth, Mr Simon Burns, Mr Brian H. Donohoe, Mr Frank Doran, Mr Neil Gerrard, Nick Harvey, Simon Hughes, Helen Jones, Mr Kevan Jones, Mr Sadiq Khan, Mr Greg Knight, David Lepper, Andrew Mackinlay, Mr Andrew Robathan, Paddy Tipping, Mr Andrew Tyrie and Mr Shailesh Vara.

3Value Added Tax (Payments on Account) (Amendment) Order 2007 (S.I., 2007, No. 1420), and the Value Added Tax (Administration, Collection and Enforcement) Order 2007 (S.I., 2007, No. 1421):

(1) The Speaker has allocated the Orders to the First Delegated Legislation Committee and has appointed Mr Bill Olner Chairman; and

(2) the Committee of Selection has nominated seventeen Members to serve on the Committee: Kevin Brennan, Mr David Burrowes, Dr Vincent Cable, Mr Douglas Carswell, Mr Tom Clarke, David T. C. Davies (Monmouth), Mr David Evennett, Mark Fisher, Mr Mark Francois, Julia Goldsworthy, Glenda Jackson, Anne Moffat, Mr Elliot Morley, Dawn Primarolo, Mr Andy Reed, Dr Gavin Strang and Mr Michael Wills.

4Draft North/South Co-operation (Implementation Bodies) (Amendment) (Northern Ireland) Order 2007:

(1) The Speaker has allocated the draft Order to the Second Delegated Legislation Committee and has appointed Mr Martyn Jones Chairman; and

(2) the Committee of Selection has nominated twenty-one Members to serve on the Committee: John Battle, Rosie Cooper, Mrs Claire Curtis-Thomas, Mr Stephen Dorrell, Mrs Nadine Dorries, Mark Durkan, Maria Eagle, Bill Etherington, Mr Michael Foster (Worcester), Mr Roger Godsiff, Mr David Hamilton, Mr Greg Hands, Mr Stewart Jackson, Mr Mark Lancaster, Mr Alan Reid, Mr Laurence Robertson, Mr Marsha Singh, Geraldine Smith, Mr Robert N. Wareing, Sammy Wilson and Derek Wyatt.

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European Standing Committees

5European Union Document No. 7371/07 and Addenda 1 to 4, relating to Simplification of Legislation on Transport Rates and Food Hygiene,—The Committee of Selection has nominated thirteen Members to serve on the European Standing Committee nominated in respect of the Document: Tony Cunningham, Mrs Louise Ellman, Caroline Flint, Dr Ian Gibson, Sandra Gidley, Tim Loughton, Shona McIsaac, Dr John Pugh, Andrew Rosindell, Geraldine Smith, Mr Ben Wallace, Mr Rob Wilson and Mr Anthony Wright.

APPENDIX III

Reports from Select Committees

1Education and Skills,—Specialist Schools and Academies Trust:

(1) Minutes of Evidence taken before the Education and Skills Committee; to be printed [No. 561-i]; and

(2) Memorandum laid before the Committee; to be published

[Mr Barry Sheerman].

2Environment, Food and Rural Affairs,—(1) Draft Climate Change Bill: Minutes of Evidence taken before the Environment, Food and Rural Affairs Committee; to be printed [No. 534-iv]; and

(2) Correspondence with Defra: Memorandum laid before the Committee; to be published

[Mr Michael Jack].

3Foreign Affairs,—Global Security: Iran:

(1) Minutes of Evidence taken before the Foreign Affairs Committee; to be printed [No. 496-ii]; and

(2) Memorandum laid before the Committee; to be published

[Sir John Stanley].

4Procedure,—Corrections to the Official Report: Second Report from the Procedure Committee, with Memoranda; to be printed, with the Minutes of Proceedings of the Committee relating to the Report [No. 541] [Mr Greg Knight].

5Statutory Instruments,—(1) Eighteenth Report from the Joint Committee on Statutory Instruments, with Memoranda; to be printed [No. 82-xviii]; and

(2) Third Report from the Select Committee on Statutory Instruments; to be printed [No. 83-iii]

[David Maclean].

6Transport,—(1) The Transport Innovation Fund: Minutes of Evidence taken before the Transport Committee; to be printed [No. 564-i]; and

(2) Open Skies–The Draft EU–US Air Transport Agreement: Memoranda laid before the Committee; to be printed [No. 395]

[Mrs Gwyneth Dunwoody].


[No. 96; WH, No. 57]

Wednesday 23rd May 2007.

The House sitting in Westminster Hall

The sitting began at half-past Nine o’clock.

Adjournment,—Resolved, That the sitting be now adjourned.—(Tony Cunningham.)

And accordingly the sitting was adjourned till to-morrow.

[Adjourned at 5.11 p.m.


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[No. 97.]

Thursday 24th May 2007.

The House met at half-past Ten o’clock.

PRAYERS.

1Royal Assent,—The Speaker notified the House, in accordance with the Royal Assent Act 1967, That Her Majesty had signified her Royal Assent to the following Act, agreed upon by both Houses:

Justice and Security (Northern Ireland) Act 2007.

2Adjournment (Matters to be considered before the forthcoming Adjournment),—A Motion was made, and the Question being proposed, That this House do now adjourn—(Steve McCabe);

The Motion was, with the leave of the House, withdrawn.

3Adjournment,—Resolved, That this House do now adjourn.—(Mr Alan Campbell.)

And accordingly, the House, having continued to sit till two minutes to Six o’clock, adjourned till Monday 4th June, pursuant to Order [16th May].

[Adjourned at 5.58 p.m.


APPENDIX I

Papers presented or laid upon the Table:

Papers subject to Affirmative Resolution:

1Companies,—Draft Companies (Political Expenditure Exemption) Order 2007 [by Act], with an Explanatory Memorandum [by Command] [Mr Secretary Darling].

2Extradition,—Draft Extradition Act 2003 (Amendment to Designations) Order 2007 [by Act], with an Explanatory Memorandum [by Command] [Secretary John Reid].

3Immigration,—Draft Asylum (Designated States) Order 2007 [by Act], with an Explanatory Memorandum [by Command] [Secretary John Reid].

4Regulatory Reform,—Draft Regulatory Reform (Financial Services and Markets Act 2000) Order 2007, with a statement by HM Treasury [by Act] [Hilary Armstrong].

Papers subject to Negative Resolution:

5Housing,—Home Information Pack (Revocation) Regulations 2007 (S.I., 2007, No. 1525), dated 24th May 2007 [by Act], with an Explanatory Memorandum [by Command] [Secretary Ruth Kelly].

6Pensions,—Local Government Pension Scheme (Amendment) (No. 2) Regulations 2007 (S.I., 2007, No. 1488), dated 17th May 2007 [by Act], with an Explanatory Memorandum [by Command] [Secretary Ruth Kelly].

Other Papers:

7Environment, Food and Rural Affairs,—Paper, entitled Waste Strategy for England 2007, with Partial Regulatory Impact Assessment and Consultation on the Incentives for Recycling by Households [by Command] [Cm. 7086] [Secretary David Miliband].

8Human Fertilisation and Embryology,—Code of Practice: Human Fertilisation and Embryology Authority [by Act] [Ms Secretary Hewitt].

9Proceeds of Crime,—Report of the Assets Recovery Agency for 2006–07 [by Act] [Secretary John Reid].

10Public Petitions,—Observations by—

(1) the Chancellor of the Exchequer on the Petition [9th May] from the City of Derby against the proposal by Her Majesty’s Revenue and Customs to close its two offices in Derby; and

(2) the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs on the Petition [27th March] from the constituents of South West Bedfordshire and other users of Britain’s waterways against reductions in the British Waterways grant

[by Standing Order]; to be printed [Clerk of the House].

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Papers withdrawn:

11Immigration,—Draft Asylum (Designated States) Order 2007, with an Explanatory Memorandum [laid 22nd May].

12Regulatory Reform,—Draft Regulatory Reform (Game) Order 2007, with a Statement by the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs [laid 23rd May].

APPENDIX II

General Committees

Value Added Tax (Payments on Account) (Amendment) Order 2007 (S.I., 2007, No. 1420), and the Value Added Tax (Administration, Collection and Enforcement) Order 2007 (S.I., 2007, No. 1421),—The Committee of Selection has discharged Dawn Primarolo from the First Delegated Legislation Committee (nominated in respect of the Orders) and nominated in substitution John Healey.

APPENDIX III

Reports from Select Committees

1Home Affairs,—Justice and Home Affairs Issues at European Union Level: Third Report from the Home Affairs Committee, with Memoranda; to be printed, with the Minutes of Proceedings of the Committee relating to the Report [No. 76] [Mr John Denham].

2Work and Pensions,—Benefits Simplification: Minutes of Evidence taken before the Work and Pensions Committee on 23rd May; to be printed [No. 463-iv] [Mr Terry Rooney].


[No. 97; WH, No. 58]

Thursday 24th May 2007.

The House sitting in Westminster Hall

The sitting began at half-past Two o’clock.

Adjournment (Human trafficking—Twenty-sixth Report of the Joint Committee on Human Rights, and the Government’s response thereto),—Resolved, That the sitting be now adjourned.—(Mr Alan Campbell.)

And accordingly the sitting was adjourned till Tuesday 5th June.

[Adjourned at 5.16 p.m.



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